Archives for March 2016

The Legislative Action Team dinner on March 10th is our opportunity to thank those legislators who are influencing the education landscape in a POSITIVE way.
It is also the time to ask them the tough questions about issues we are currently facing, and make SURE they are still on the RIGHT side of the issues.
This year’s dinner accomplished both…and the prime rib was delicious too!
We asked about the fiscally responsible pension funding amendment (more of which you will hear about from your Building Rep next month).
This amendment is co-sponsored by our own Senator Linda Greenstein and she spoke eloquently about it and explained why it is the ONLY solution to the pension crisis…and explained that it won’t add to what NJ already owes. This amendment allows the state to phase in payments over several years, making it MUCH easier to reach a responsible level of funding.
Our Assemblyman Dan Benson applauded the amendment and agreed that each year the state fails to make responsible payments, the liability grows and taxpayers OWE MORE.
Andrew Zwicker, the new LD 16 Assemblyman, added there must be creative and innovative ways to lower health care costs.
No kidding!
NJEA Vice President Marie Blistan applauded us all for our hard work and tireless efforts on behalf of our members.
She asked for a show of hands of people taking home LESS money today than we did in 2010.
MOST of the people in the room raised their hands.
This cannot continue.
We will need your help getting this amendment passed…but more of that later.
I’d like to thank the EWEA Legislative Action Team members for attending the dinner…in the middle of the week…exhausted and ready for Spring Break.
Thanks, Chairwoman Rachel Cunningham, Jessica Myers, Chris Gabbi, Randi Tompkins-Byock, Patricia Winthrop-Murphy, Kathy Dziuba, and Andrew Koontz (who is running for re-election as a Mercer County Freeholder…shameless plug).
I’d like to also thank EWEA Executive Board members Chris Carpenter, Karen Rogers and Sarah Vandervort.
United we stand, my friends…
Ellen Ogintz – President

Hello,
Thanks to all of you who voted to decide who will represent YOU at the NEA Representative Assembly this summer.
POSTIVELY joining me will be Chris Carpenter and Jerry Simonelli…God help them.
The next runner up is Esmeralda Garcia and then Sarah Vandervort.
We can ALL go IF YOU elect Chris, Jerry and I to be State delegates!
I will be emailing you more information very soon.Now money…
EWEA raised $1242 to give as a donation to the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education!
That is a tremendous show of support, and we thank you.
Those Drew Dragons had the highest percentage of contributions with 78%! They win the Visa gift card 🙂
Again, thanks to all of you who contributed and made EWEA Day more than just a chance to wear that alluring t-shirt.
Now here are some pictures to see just how fabulous many of you looked: